On Hindering the Gospel
But we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the Gospel. (I Cor. 9:12b)
I Cor. 9:7-16, 22-27; Acts 18:3, 20:33, 34; I Thess. 2:9; II Cor. 12:15; II Tim. 2:10
What Is God Saying?
Sharing the love of God in Christ without allowing anything to become a roadblock in the way of a listener's understanding was of utmost importance to Paul. He was very concerned that he might be accused of carrying on his ministry for material gain. The laborer should be worthy of his hire. But it is normal to expect the planter of a vineyard to grab a grape or two for his nourishment. An ox should not be muzzled as he goes around in endless circles threshing the grain. He has a right to eat a portion of what he is producing. Hence, says Paul, ‘If we have sown spiritual good among you, is it too much if we reap your material benefits?’ ‘Nevertheless...,’ to be sure that there is no misunderstanding or hindrance to the Gospel, ‘We have not made use of this right but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the Gospel of Christ’ (I Cor. 9:12).
How Does This Apply To Us?
If Paul took such great pains to avoid tarnishing his motives in preaching the Gospel, should not we, who share the same Gospel today, do everything we can? Failures to do this on the part of self-declared messengers from God in our day are all too prevalent. That is why each Christian should be careful to let the Spirit of God point out and remove any obstacle that would prevent others from seeing the truth and experiencing the power of the Gospel. Paul said, ‘Woe to me if I preach not the Gospel.’ Can we not also say, ‘Woe to us if by our lives we distort the Gospel and keep its life-changing and joy-giving power from anyone we meet, anywhere we go, any place we are?’
Pray With Me
Lord Jesus, You endured everything to make the Gospel possible. May I endure all things to keep the Gospel available and free. If there be some desire, some ambition, some secret idol in my heart from which I am slow to turn away, deal with it mercilessly ... mercifully ... that nothing in me will become an obstacle in the way of the Gospel of Christ. If there be some habit, some inconsistency of life, some human frailty which I find easy to excuse but which offends a soul in search of meaning or hungering for righteousness, deal with it mercilessly ... mercifully ... that nothing about me will become an obstacle in the way of the gospel. If there be some careless word, some thoughtless liberty, some missing act of courtesy that undermines the confidence of another in the faith I profess, deal with it mercilessly .. mercifully ... that nothing from me or about me will become an obstacle in the way of the Gospel. If the blessings of the Gospel have grown commonplace, if I have lost the wonder of my early walk with You, if I find that Your nearness on the common road is becoming a common thing, deal with it mercilessly .. mercifully ... that nothing I say or do would lead others to think that Christ and His Gospel are less than the most important blessings in life.
Lord Jesus, I thank You for enduring everything that the Gospel might come to me unhindered. For Your sake, I would endure anything that the Gospel may come unhindered to others.
In the praise and love of Your name. Amen.
Moving On In The Life of Prayer
When we come to God in the privilege and responsibility of prayer, it is important to see that every obstacle that inhibits our communication with God and our fellowship with others is confessed, forgiven, and removed.
